Some lessons for councillors

Sir, - I was saddened though not surprised to learn some councillors in Angus are in favour of charging teachers to park at their schools.

I know Angus, like most councils, is strapped for cash, but surely they can’t fail to realise how downright stupid this would be.

At a time when teacher recruitment is in crisis, don’t they realise it would be another barrier in the way of attracting fresh faces to the area? It might also quicken the departure of those experienced teachers already buckling under excessive demands.

I acknowledge that budgets are tight and a combination of costcutting and revenueraising is essential for even the most basic services to continue. However, I wholly disagree with this intent to inflict more misery and hardship on teachers, many of whom already dip into their own pockets to top-up classrooms with much needed stationery and books.

Of course, it’s easy for armchair critics to simply slam suggestions and so I have some ideas which might help. Firstly, instead of their Education Directorate spending most of their time tweeting and facebooking about this all-expenses-paid learning fair and that allexpenses paid teaching conference they’re just back from, what about getting them back in the classroom? I’m sure that those worthy of their executive-salary promoted posts would

“If Angus councillors wish to be wise before the event, they’ll resolve not to splash out on corporate hospitality at the forthcoming Open golf championship at Carnoustie

relish the chance to lead the learning and teaching process, and to show support by working alongside teachers.

As for the councillors, what about some prudent housekeeping? I shan’t hark on about the empty floor space at the multi-million-pound Orchardbank Forfar HQ as it’s easy to be wise after the event. However, if Angus councillors wish to be wise before the event, they’ll resolve not to splash out on corporate hospitality at the forthcoming Open golf championship at Carnoustie.

Now what a rare and noble cost-cutting act that would be and one to which we all might raise a Pimms or two.

Jamie Buchan, Grove Road, Dundee.